Constable Malone told the Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on Sept. 5 that his office needed a full‑time deputy restored to handle civil process, court security and patrol activities; commissioners denied the full‑time deputy request but approved modest increases for miscellaneous supplies and postage.

Malone said the work load in his precinct has grown and that he routinely works long hours. He asked the court to restore a deputy position at a cited salary line of $42,006.40; fringe and total line‑item numbers were discussed in the meeting. Commissioners questioned usage of existing line items (for example, the constable's postage line used $73 last year against a requested $240) and some argued for denying the deputy request because of countywide budget constraints.

What the court decided
- Denied: the constable's request to restore a full‑time deputy (motion to deny carried). The transcript shows a motion to deny the deputy position was made and seconded and the court recorded "Aye" for the denial.
- Denied: a requested increase in travel funding for the constable (motion to deny carried). The constable had requested a $1,400 increase.
- Approved: an increase in miscellaneous supplies (from $550 requested up to $1,200) after a motion to approve carried by voice vote.
- Approved: postage line item increase (motion carried).

Context and commissioners' reasoning
Commissioners repeatedly noted that many departments made modest requests and that the court was trying to hold the line on recurring salary increases while balancing other priorities. One commissioner said last year's postage usage and other actual expenditures supported limiting some increases; another commissioner argued that crime in certain precincts is worsening and that constables are strained in hours and coverage.

Attribution: Quotes and details in this article come from Constable Malone, County Judge (presiding) and Cindy (county budget staff), the named participants in the relevant portion of the Sept. 5 meeting.